The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-05-18
The Episcopal Convention.

We copy from the NetCs and Courier much
of the report which that newspaper made OF
the recent Episcopal Convention which met
In Charleston last Thursday, Friday and sat
urday. There has been nothing in the news
papers since the earthquake, which has eN
cited one-fourth the interest which the acton
of that Convention has created. All are talk
ing Of It, and all are disposed TO ask what ei-
feet the disruption will have, but none are as
vet able to give O satisfactory solution.
Without pretending to know more than
Others, we will, however, presume to exercise
an EDITORS right OF criticism.
The question as to the legality OF the Bish'
ops ruling In thrusting negro on conven'
tion scarcely needs consideration. All things
which are lawful are not exprdicnt Tho
Bishop knew before he entered the name oi
the negro on his roll that the act would dis
turb the eQnanimity of the Convention, and
It really looks to us as II he did 1t to precipi
tate conflict which could end only dlsas'
trously to the church.
The negros presence was not wanted. That
is the matter. The Bishops act seems to
have been INV ise, discourteous to the breth
rem, injurious to the harmony and prosperity
Of the religious organization Of which he was
at the head. 1t would seem that he forgot
that minorlties had rights which even so dis
tinguished person as the Bishop, may well
respect. Any plea Of conscientious scruples
about refusing admittance to a negro, whose
presence would drive from the church ma
jority Of its delegates, would amount to little
When preacher comes among rs. and acts
In such way as to offend such men as c. G
ri Nn('robv md i i
PrInsle Smith-all Of whom were respectable
and honored members Of the Episcopal
church before the Ecclesiastical Dictator was
born-may we'll question his own wisdom
and when he, by his official conduct, offends
majority of the lay delegates in his own ar
bitrary, wlllful, selfassertive acts he may
we'll ask himself if he Is exercising that "spir'
it OF meekness and gentleness," which he
would extend to the negro.
The Episcopal church In South Carolina
under Bishop Howe has not prosPered in the
past, and he last week succeeded in alternating
more men from the church than he will ever
be instrumental in drawing to it.
We believe the congregations will sustain
the secedlng delegations. II Is far more i'm
portant to us that we agree among ourselves
than It is to yield to the arbitrary demands
OF an Ecclesiastical Dictator. He Is here TO-
day, and II he does not 60 tomorrow he may
90 at no distant day. His day of usefulness
II he ever had one in South Carolina, is past
A man who regards one intruding negro
with more consideration than he accords to
the delegates from a majority of his parishes
can never advance the cause OF the church In
South Carolina, and the sooner he finds q
laity more congenial with his own feelings
the better 1t will be for the church in which
he labors.
Whether the seeding members were right
or not has nothing at all to do with the arbi
trary and dictatorial spirit Of the Bishop.
They were honest. They acted from convic
tions, or from prejudice, if you please, and, i
the Press and Banner is not mistaken, the
Episcopal churches will support the seeding
delegates in their action. SO long as they have
the moral support of their congregation, they
need not care for the sneers and jibes OF
Bishop whose sympathies may not be with oui
people. A Bishop without the moral suppor
of his parishes can be OF little use.